-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- As a child , Ranjan Avasthi was once bitten by the family 's German shepherd . His parents responded quickly by separating the two , bandaging his wounds and gradually reintroducing healthy interaction with the dog . Fast-forward a few decades . Avasthi , now a doctor , has a wife , child and his very own German shepherd mix .

His toddler may be a bit young for cautionary tales , but Avasthi fully understands the risks and rewards of kids and pets sharing a household . As a doctor who specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry , he has seen kids transform in the presence of pets . He also knows that kids will be kids .

They love to grab ears , pull tails and simply rub pets the wrong way . While cats and dogs reside in roughly 84 million U.S. households without incident , accidents happen . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly half of the 800,000 medically treated dog bites each year involve children , mostly between the ages of 5 and 9 years old . Even with the most well-behaved fur kids , it 's best to avoid leaving children and pets unsupervised .

`` Kids naturally do things that upset cats and dogs -- hugging , staring , petting on the head , '' says animal behaviorist Kristen Collins of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals -LRB- ASPCA.org -RRB- . `` These can stress animals , and any stressed animal is more dangerous . ''

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We all know that kids and pets can peacefully coexist . But it also helps to have an action plan , just in case your child is bitten by a pet -LRB- yes , cats bite , too -RRB- . Take measures to help prevent emotional scars after a pet bites or scratches your child . Collins and Avasthi offer expert advice :

Take swift action : Remove the pet immediately , then discuss why pets may have reacted negatively . `` A lot of it is talking about what happened and asking , ` Why do you think this happened ? ' '' Avasthi says . `` Allow children to discuss what can be done to prevent the situation from recurring . ''

Teach kids to read a pet 's body language : Collins strongly encourages parents to discuss body language while watching pets . ASPCA.org provides guidelines , photos and safety tips to help kids and parents recognize signs -- such as flattened ears or wrinkled forehead -- that indicate distress .

Reinforce healthy interaction : Help kids understand how to safely approach a cat or dog . Start by asking human handlers if you can approach , then extend a closed hand for the cat or dog to smell . `` It 's best if you let the pet come to you , '' Collins says . `` It can prevent a lot of bad situations . ''

She also recommends that kids and parents practice the proper way to pet a cat or dog using stuffed animals . Focus on areas where animals like to be petted , such as their chest or side . `` We sit with kids and talk about things dogs do n't like and cats do n't like , '' Collins says . `` It 's equally important to explain what they do like . ''

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Reintroduce pets slowly : Each situation differs , but psychiatrists often use exposure therapy to help patients deal with phobias , Avasthi says . The process resembles slow and deliberate steps that his parents took many years ago . Therapy may begin with kids seeing photos of puppies , then pint-sized pups and , eventually , larger dogs . During subsequent sessions , kids watch videos of pets and gradually interact with an adult cat or dog . The goal is to help kids overcome a fearful response when they think about the pet .

Try a training class : Avasthi and Collins recommend training to build confidence -- for kids and pets . Many dog trainers encourage kids to participate in group classes , setting the foundation for safe interaction at an early age . `` Then the child is not afraid and does n't learn the wrong behaviors , '' Avasthi says .

Collins also encourages games such as fetch , along with obedience and teaching trick training . These activities help kids learn positive interaction , and dogs learn that kids are great treat dispensers , she says .

Encourage a healthy respect for Mother Nature : `` Educate kids that our house pets -- even though domesticated and pets -- they are animals , '' Avasthi says . `` Sometimes they may not mean to hurt us ; they may be playing , irritated or even frightened . ''

Respecting pets also means giving them space when they show signs of being distressed , overstimulated or tired .

Continue the conversation @Soulpup on Twitter .

© Copyright 2011 Mother Nature Network

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Kids love to grab pets ' ears , tails or simply rub them the wrong way

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CDC : Nearly half of medically treated dog bites involve children

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Training builds confidence for kids and for pets